The light cleared, revealing…nothing? Jasmine sat up, confused, then doubled over in pain. A strange feeling was traveling through her body, starting in her womanhood before going up into her abdomen. There, it settled before fading.
Suddenly, Jasmine knew with such pure certainty that it had to be true. It had to be the magic from Anya’s amulet granting her this knowledge. She knew that Lord Lake had become the very child he would have conceived, had he fully had his way with her. Jasmine placed her hands on her flat stomach, imagining it swelling.
Jasmine swallowed nervously. She supposed that it wouldn’t be too surprising for a woman to become pregnant unexpectedly during the turmoil the kingdom was now experiencing. Many women would be taken advantage of by strange men who had no intention to stay with the woman nor raise the child that resulted from their seed. Knowing that she would likely not be a social outcast was a poor comfort, however.
After all, Jasmine was supposed to be a man. And yet, she was a woman currently nursing two children and destined to give birth to a third. Jasmine’s stomach continued to churn, but she resolutely stood up and began the long walk back to Simon’s house.
When Jasmine arrived at her Master’s home, Simon was standing outside. He put his hands on his hips.
“What took you so long, girl?” he demanded. Jasmine opened and closed her mouth a few times. Simon’s look of frustration morphed into worry. “Jasmine?”
“There- there was a man-” she choked out. “He- he took me and- and-” Simon’s face melted into horror. He quickly threw an arm around Jasmine’s shoulders and ushered her inside.
“I apologize, I should not have sent you into town alone,” he said, sounding devastated. “I should have known that there would be men who would take advantage of a young beauty such as yourself.” Patricia emerged from the kitchen.
“Jasmine is back? Good.” Patricia frowned. “What happened?”
“It sounds like one of those rebel scoundrels patrolling the streets took advantage of Jasmine,” Simon spat. Patricia gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.
“Oh, you poor thing! Please, sit down.” Patricia led Jasmine to a chair. Jasmine sat down. “I will fetch you a warm drink. Simon, please, come with me.” Simon followed Patricia into the kitchen. Jasmine could hear them conversing in hushed, urgent whispers. She closed her eyes as Patricia whispered that she hoped the scoundrel did not impregnate Jasmine.
She knew he had, though not in the way he intended.